The College of Arms had been asked as to what the the Royal Family's surname was and advised that, as descendants in the male line of the Dukes of Saxony, it was either Wipper or Wettin, rather than something like Guelph, which was connected to the House of Hanover. Tudor-Stewart, Plantagenet, D'Este and Fitzroy were all rejected. The King's Secretary, Lord Stamfordham, is said to have found out that Edward III had been called "Edward Windsor" because he had been born there. This was a welcome suggestion as Windsor and the Castle were at the heart of the British Royal Family.
Commenting on the name change, a Manchester Guardian editorial at the time noted, “The British Royal Family will no doubt be known in future simply as the House of Britain". That may have been a lost chance, but Windsor it was!
The Royal Proclamation by King George V of 17th July 1917 stated:
Now, therefore, We, out of Our Royal Will and Authority, do hereby declare and announce that as from the date of this Our Royal Proclamation Our House and Family shall be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, and that all the descendants in the male line of Our said Grandmother Queen Victoria who are subjects of these Realms, other than female descendants who may marry or may have married, shall bear the said Name of Windsor.
The Badge of the House of Windsor was approved by King George VI on 28th July 1938. It is shown above in the style which has been used used from 1952 to the present with the form of St Edward's Crown chosen by HM Queen Elizabeth as opposed to what has become known as the Tudor Crown. The illustration shown here comes from the Royal Collection Trust. The artist is simply described as "British School" and is, in fact, dated 1955. However, it does show the original design with the 'Tudor' pattern of Crown which was used up until 1953 and was changed to the more realistic portrayal of St Edward's Crown with which Queen Elizabeth II was about to be crowned. |
Although the Sovereigns of the House of Windsor (this dynastic name was adopted by Royal Proclamation on 17th June [sic] 1917) have used various old royal badges only one or two new badges have been adopted that for Wales and the following badge for the House of Windsor, which was approved by King George VI on 28th July 1938: On a Mount Vert the Round Tower of Windsor Castle argent, masoned sable, flying thereon the Royal Standard, the whole within two branches of oak fructed or, and ensigned with the Imperial Crown.
"It was the King's suggestion to include the Round Tower of Windsor Castle, flying the Royal Standard (flown when the sovereign is in residence). He particularly wanted the flag to look as if it was being blown out in the wind. The springs of oak in the badge are a reference to Windsor Forest. They define the base of the mount on which the castle stands and support the Royal Crown. The badge was originally approved with the older version of the Royal Crown but altered to the version currently used when the present Queen ascended the throne"